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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
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In this powerful episode of The Chris & Sandy Show, we sit down with Motown recording artist Charlene Oliver, the unmistakable voice behind the global hit “I’ve Never Been to Me.”
Charlene takes us on an emotional, honest, and often shocking journey through her career — from humble beginnings as a young singer in Los Angeles to the whirlwind of Motown, legendary collaborators, and the intense highs and lows that followed.
You’ll hear Charlene’s raw and unfiltered stories about:
• Her unexpected discovery singing at a small party — and how a stranger introduced her music to Berry Gordy.
• Walking into a room with Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, and top Motown producers while wearing overalls and cowboy boots.
• Singing live in front of Diana Ross at Gordy’s request… and how that moment changed her life forever.
• Recording “I’ve Never Been to Me” with a full 30-piece orchestra and legendary arranger Don Costa.
• Why the spoken-word section almost never made the record — and how adding it turned the song into a worldwide hit.
• The emotional breakdown she had the first time she heard the lyrics, realizing the song mirrored her own life.
• Working alongside Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and other Motown greats — and the surreal moments behind the scenes.
• The painful backlash she endured after releasing “Used to Be” with Stevie Wonder — a song that left her feeling “put in front of a firing squad.”
• The personal cost of fame, including breakdowns, industry pressure, and being misunderstood as a white artist on a Black label.
• Her fear of being forgotten, and the role faith played in pulling her through her darkest seasons.
• Life today: writing deeply emotional music on piano, crafting novels, and pouring her heart into new creative work.
The episode also includes warm, funny moments — including a story involving a Rolls-Royce, a wraparound skirt, and one unforgettable fashion disaster — plus a heart-to-heart conversation with Chris and Sandy’s 13-year-old son, Christopher.
A story of talent, trauma, hope, faith, and survival — told with complete honesty.
If you love Motown history, behind-the-scenes stories, redemption arcs, or powerful conversations about purpose, this episode is for you.
Listen now — and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
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